Scotland's new avalanche risk forecasting season begins
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service provides avalanche hazard forecasts for six mountain areas
At a glance
Scotland's latest avalanche hazard forecasting season has begun.
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service assesses snow and avalanche conditions in six mountain areas until mid-April.
Last season, 212 avalanches were recorded. There were no fatalities.
Unusually, due to Storm Darcy, avalanches were recorded outside the normal areas - including in Galloway and the Isle of Rum.
- Published
Scotland's latest avalanche risk forecasting season has begun.
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service, external (SAIS) assesses snow and avalanche conditions in six mountain areas from early or mid-December to mid-April.
The areas are Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon.
Last season, 212 avalanches were recorded - 10 of them involved people but there were no fatalities.
Avalanches can occur naturally, can be triggered accidentally by people, or caused deliberately to remove an avalanche risk in ski areas.
Hillwalkers, climbers and skiers use SAIS information alongside weather forecasts to help them plan trips.
Debris from a deliberately-triggered avalanche during a training exercise in the Cairngorms
In its latest annual report, SAIS said heavy snow during February's Storm Darcy resulted in avalanche activity at lower levels in places outside its normal forecasting areas.
The locations included Galloway, Isle of Rum, Pentland Hills and Southern Uplands.
SAIS also said it had an unusual situation in early May when it reactivated the service for a short time due to unseasonably cold weather and snow.
Total number of avalanches and fatalities recorded in SAIS seasons:
2020-21 - 212 (0 fatalities)
2019-20 - 241 (1)
2018-19 - 144 (3 fatalities)
2017-18 - 260 (0)
2016-17 - 90 (0)
2015-16 - 207 (3)
2014-15 - 305 (1)
2013-14 - 350 (0)
2012-13 - 129 (8)
2011-12 - 154 (0)
2010-11 - 178 (1)
2009-10 - 220 (5)